HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-17-2005-5gORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 17, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. 5-~_
SUBJECT: Approve Grant Purchase of Radio Communications Equipment for Emergency
Responders
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Portable Radio Allocation Chart
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jack Ball, ext 3030
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To authorize purchase of one hundred and forty-seven (147) Motorola XTS 2500
Tier II 800 MHz portable radios for emergency response agencies within the county, with a cost
not to exceed $471,000, utilizing Homeland Security grant funding.
BACKGROUND: The U.S, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded the State of
North Carolina funding for equipment and training exercises through the FY2003 and FY2004
State Homeland Security Grant Program, The program is designed to improve domestic
terrorism preparedness through the purchase of equipment for first responders, including law
enforcement agencies, municipal and volunteer fire departments, emergency management,
emergency medical services, fire marshal, and public health. Funding is allocated on a DHS
formula of 80% far local government and 20% for state use, Orange County's share of these
funds totaled $600,776, The BOCC approved the grant agreement covering these funds at
their meeting on February 3, 2004 for the FY2003 grant and November 16, 2004 for FY2004.
Orange County Emergency Management staff conducted meetings to determine a countywide
need to which the grant allocation could be applied. Participants in the meetings included
representatives of Chapel Hill fire and police, Carrboro fire and police, UNC and Hospital Police,
Orange Cotanty Sheriff and Hillsborough Police. Input was also received from the Orange
County Health Department. All parties agreed that interoperable communications is of
paramount concern by the conclusion of these meetings on October 13, 2004. The results of a
BOCC-authorized study completed by CTA Communications, Inc. found that a radio solution
utilizing an 800 MHz radio system would be the ideal platform far the County.
Subsequent to the completion of that study, a partnership opportunity with the State of North
Carolina using the State Highway Patrol's VIPER (Voice Interoperability Project for Emergency
Responders) system arose, The County entered into agreements which will substantially
reduce the cost to the County for SOOMHz radio infrastructure, County staff continue to seek
grant funding opportunities and other revenue sources to minimize the remaining costs to the
County of the 800 MHZ communications interoperability project (for replacement of the 14 year
old consoles at the 9-1-1 center and portable and mobile radios for County agencies). This
grant program will enable the County and its municipal and volunteer emergency response
partner agencies to purchase a number of 800MHz compatible radios.
These 147 portable radios that are to be purchased are compatible with the VIPER system and
will include a charger, extra battery, and lapel microphone, They are also on State contract,
resulting in a 15% savings over list price. The total price will not exceed $471,000, As
described in the attached radio allocation table, emergency response agencies will receive a
quantity of radios that will provide a base level of communications interoperability during
incidents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no County match required in the use of the grant funds in this
manner. Also, the grant does not require the County in any way to expend further funding
towards this project. The equipment requested is on State contract under contract number 725-
G, so no bid is required, The $471,000 for this project is well within the grant budget. The
County will file for reimbursement from the State pursuant to terms of the grant.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the purchase of
the portable radios; authorize the Purchasing Director to execute paperwork as may be
appropriate; and direct staff to file for reimbursement pursuant to terms of the grant.
200.3 and 2004 Grants Combined Allotment
Chapel Hill Police 14
Carrboro Police 14
Orange County Sheriff 15
ITNC Police 14
UNC Hospital Police 10
Hillsborough Police 14
Chapel Hill Fire 10
Carrboro Fire 10
Caldwell 3
Orange Rural/ Hillsborough Fire 2
Orange Grove Fire 3
Eno Fire 3
Efland Fire 3
White Cross Fire 3
Cedar Grove Fire 3
New Hope Fire 3
Mebane Fire Department 3
Orange County Emergency
Management 1.3
Orange County Public Health 7
Total 147